By Lori Berkey, Contributing Writer
Do you know where this picture was taken? See if you can identify it and then read below for details about the featured landmark. Photo/Lori Berkey
Hudson – The photo of this stadium was taken at 120 Chapin Road in Hudson. The space where this outdoor arena, the Morgan Bowl, stands at Riverside Park was once used for horseracing. That’s according to information published in the book, “Hudson’s Heritage,” by Barbara Belseth, et al. Per this account, the football stadium was constructed at this site during the 1930s.
The longtime rivalry between Hudson and Marlborough High Schools’ football teams was mentioned in the book, along with information about when the stadium received the name it is still known by today. The passage that traces that history reads as follows: “In 1963, at a ceremony at the Thanksgiving Day game, which we lost to Marlborough, it was given the name of the Morgan Bowl.”
Prior to playing at the Morgan Bowl, Hudson High School’s football team achieved its first undefeated season in 1927. The team went more than two decades before gaining undefeated status again in 1952. It took 10 more years before the team was able to repeat it, according to this same source.
The rivalry that has existed between the Hudson and Marlborough High School football teams remains, with the Thanksgiving Day game still attracting large crowds to Morgan Bowl.
Besides high school football games, Morgan Bowl is the site of numerous other sports competitions, charity walks and community activities. Another Hudson tradition held at this spot is the town’s annual Pumpkin Fest, which has offered musical entertainment, fireworks, food, games and more. Additionally, the site has been used by the Hudson Division of Recreation for track and field offerings, speed camps and other activities.
Of Historical Note is a weekly segment of the Community Advocate that features a hidden or well-known landmark from one of our newspaper’s six communities.